Scientific Coordinator -ASF, SCIENCE Department – OIE Headquarters – Paris, France

Scientific Coordinator – African swine fever and other swine diseases

Contract: OIE Staff – 24 months**

Salary conditions: 3200-3300 € net per month + bonus (depending on experience)**

Positioning and reporting

Under the authority of the Deputy Director General (International Standards and Science), and the supervision of the Head of the Science Department.

Job purpose

The Scientific Coordinator contributes to the development of policy advice on scientific topics , research priorities and international scientific networks. He/she contributes to the scientific excellence and integrity of OIE activities to address emerging and specified diseases by coordinating activities with the relevant work of other international partners, participating in the development of international standards, and providing subsequent recommendations regarding the OIE position and strategy. He/she also contributes to capacity building of Members through the delivery of regional technical coordination meetings.

In particular, the Scientific Coordinator contributes to the global control of African swine fever by supporting the ASF Working Group in the implementation of the GF-TADS ASF Global Initiative (GI). He/she contributes to the development and maintenance of strong synergies between the GF-TADs and partner organisations. He/she contributes to communication and advocacy around ASF activities and results lead by the Communication teams of FAO and OIE.

Missions and activities

Provide expert/technical advice and support on African swine fever and other swine diseases

· Maintain current knowledge on ASF and other swine diseases, in order to support the definition of the scope and context for OIE involvement on these topics;

· Serve as primary contact point for the OIE on these topics and provide technical support to the OIE Regional and Subregional representations;

· Propose policy statements and/or lead strategic thinking for the OIE on these topics;

· Support the OIE ASF Reference Laboratory Network;

· Support the implementation of specific projects on ASF and other swine diseases;

· Contribute to providing communication content and technical advice to other relevant teams within OIE

· Maintain a network of contacts on these topics and good communication with subject-matter experts;

Ensure coordination with partner organisations on the implementation of ASF global Initiative

· Support the work of the GF-TADs ASF Working Group by:

o Contributing to the preparation of meeting agendas, in consultation with the ASF WG;

o Participating in the preparation of background documents and status reports and support the follow-up of the recommendations and action points of the ASF WG meetings;

o Supporting the GF-TADs global secretariat in the preparation of the report for the GF-TADS Management Committee and GF-TADS Steering Committee;

o Liaising with OIE and FAO staff involved in the GF-TADs activities;

o Contributing to the update of the two-year GI Operational Plan;

o Participating in the development and implementation of the ASF GI M&E framework;

o Coordinate and contribute to the preparation of the GI annual reports.

Provide support to the standard-setting process

· Support the Secretariat of the Biological Standards Commission;

· Provide secretariat functions to the ad hoc Group ensuring compliance with OIE procedures;

· Liaise internally with relevant departments to ensure collation of cross-cutting relevant information;

· Support the Biological Standards Commission’s programme for the international standardisation/harmonisation of diagnostic tests, in particular managing the project to extend the list of OIE approved reference reagents;

· Support the implementation of the OIE biobank project;

· Liaise with the relevant Specialist Commissions;

· Follow up actions arising from relevant meetings.

Support capacity-building activities for Members

· Support the development of training programmes and oversee their production;

· Design updated comprehensive training materials;

· Identify and liaise with relevant speakers;

· Coordinate and/or facilitate the regional technical coordination meetings in coordination with OIE regional and subregional offices;

Provide support to the work of the Department:

· Contribute to the preparation of responses to enquiries from Members and other stakeholders;

· Support the procedure for reviewing and updating the technical disease cards;

· Support the update of the OIE website with activities related to the Department;

· Participate in other areas of work, providing support and/or back-up as required.

Qualifications and Experience

Required qualifications

· A graduate degree in veterinary sciences (DVM)

· At least 8 years of professional experience, including 5 years of experience with laboratory at the national or international level

· At least 3 years of international experience

Additional competencies

· Experience with molecular biology laboratory techniques.

Requirements:

Technical skills:

· Strong analytical thinking skills;

· Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, in particular Word;

· Excellent knowledge of English, both spoken and written;

· Good knowledge of French or Spanish (desirable).

Interpersonal skills:

· Excellent communication skills;

· Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships in a multinational and multicultural environment;

· Strong analytical and research skills;

· Capacity to learn and a self-motivated worker;

· Excellent organisation skills and ability to meet specific deadlines.

Working conditions

The post is a full-time position based at the OIE Headquarters in Paris. It requires long hours in a seated position at a computer. The position entails regular missions abroad.